Isaev defeats Campos

By Shamus Young at ringside

Junior Lightweight Andrey Isaev improved to 22-1 with a ten round majority decision over Derrick Campos (20-10) at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, WA. Campos appeared to be the stronger of the two men and brought the action with a straightforward slugging style. Isaev is a lanky fighter, but he gives up his height and reach advantages by hunching over and rarely using his jab. Isaev had the faster hands, straighter punches, and solid inside fighting technique, which he used to win most exchanges. Campos survived cuts over both eyes to stage a late rounds rally, but it wasn’t enough to get the win. Judges had it 96-94 twice, and 95-95. Fightnews had it 99-91 for Isaev.

The co-main event featured junior lightweights Sarah Pucek and Tammie Johnson in an entertaining 5 round rematch of their draw in April of this year. In their first meeting, Pucek abandoned her fluid boxing style and stood toe to toe with Johnson. In the rematch, Pucek wisely resisted the temptation to slug it out. Johnson waded forward with wide, slapping shots and Pucek picked her apart with superior boxing skills. Pucek won a split decision with scores of 50-45 and 49-46. One judge favored the hometown fighter Johnson with a score of 49-46. Fightnews had it 50-45 for Pucek. With the win Pucek moves to 4-0-1 and Johnson falls to 4-3-2.

Junior lightweight prospect Alishir Rahimov (20-0) handily won a six round unanimous decision over Aaron Dominguez (10-4). Rahimov dominated every round with excellent footwork, tight defense, and crisp, compact punches. Dominguez was game but outclassed. Rahimov seems to lack power and he ran out of steam in the final two rounds, but that didn’t matter in this match. Scores were 60-54 twice and 59-55. Fightnews had it 60-54.

Super middleweights Donatas Bondorovas and Eddie Hunter fought to a four round draw. Hunter won the first two rounds with slick boxing, then seemed to tire. Bondorovas appeared to sleep walk through the first two rounds, then woke up in round three and outworked Hunter to take the final two rounds. The judges had it 39-37, 37-39 and 38-38. Fightnews had it 38-38. Bondorovas moves to 4-1-1 and Hunter to 2-1-1.

Maks Limonov moved to 11-0 in his first fight outside of Russia with a third round stoppage of Skyler Thompson (11-6). The super middleweight bout was scheduled for four. Thompson had early success in counterpunching the swarming slugger Limonov, but near the end of the first, Limonov dropped Thompson with a right cross. Thompson made it out of the round and survived the second as well, but was clearly being worn down by Limonov’s onslaught. In the third round, Thompson was dropped for the second time. He beat the count but referee Bobby Howard judged that Thompson was unable to continue. Time of TKO was 2:20.

In the opening bout, bantamweight Rustam Nabeev (4-0) pitched a four round shutout over Manuel Galaviz (3-2). Nabeev dropped Galaviz in the first and second rounds, and Galaviz was deducted a point for excessive holding. All judges and Fightnews scored the fight 40-33.

The featherweight bout between Thomas Snow and Vyacheslav Gusev was canceled.

The fight was the 74th installment of Brian Halquist Productions’ Battle at the Boat series at the Emerald Queen Casino I-5 in Tacoma, WA. Battle at the Boat 75 is scheduled for January 9, 2010.